In June 1961, MM Zimmerman (president), Richard Zimmerman (publisher), Nathaniel Schwartz (editor), and Sidney Schwartz (senior editor) produced the first issue of The Discount Merchandiser, the very first business magazine devoted to the mass retail industry.
The magazine's founders recognized that a broad range of retailers (whether they called themselves bargain stores, factory outlets, mill stores, promotional centers, closed-door stores, soft-goods supermarkets, or discount centers) were driving, as Schwartz wrote, a "second revolution—discount house era—that will reshape the entire world of retailing."
Schwartz's prognostication could not have been more accurate. Mass merchandisers rapidly became the kings of retail. And as the industry grew and evolved, Discount Merchandiser grew and evolved right along with it, becoming Retail Merchandiser in 2000 to better reflect its coverage of the entire mass retailing industry.
Though much has changed in the last 47 years, our editorial mission remains firmly rooted in the vision of our magazine's founders: to help lead the industry by providing our readers with accurate and balanced information upon which to make better business decisions.
As Schwartz wrote in 1961: "We believe that an industry magazine must point out the ways that lead to new strength. It must tell its readers not only what the facts are but what can be done about them."
Through our print magazine, our daily e-newsletter, and our Web site, that is exactly what today's Retail Merchandiser will continue to do.
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